This monograph presents 15 position statements of The Arc, a national organization for persons with mental retardation. A preamble presents the organization's Mission Statement. Principles and assumptions stressing the uniqueness of all people and the importance of a sense of control over one's destiny are listed. The position statements are then…

This paper proposes and discusses, from a management point of view, application of specific outcome measurements to residential programs for mentally retarded persons and those experiencing long term mental health problems. These include: rate of restraint and seclusion; percentage of compliance with applicable standards; absenteeism/leave time…

This paper describes a case study approach to multicultural education and examines what was learned from a project utilizing teacher-written cases in a seminar for new teachers. A case is described and analyzed. Data were gathered by reflecting on what had been taught about teaching in diverse classrooms and discussing potential implications for…

The Northland Wilderness Experience (NWE) was established in 1985 to provide outdoor therapeutic programs for at-risk youth from the Northland region of New Zealand. The program involved a physically challenging 10-day expedition, followed by an 18-month followup period of group outdoor activities offered every 2 weeks. By the end of 1989, 280…

This report examines the development of school choice policies as an element of educational reform, describes open enrollment as one form of school choice, outlines other types of school choice programs, describes Minnesota's various forms of educational choice, explores arguments for and against choice, and discusses issues and concerns for…

This practicum focused on the problem of lack of involvement of the parents of 32 mainstreamed fifth grade students with special learning needs. Evening workshops were conducted for parents and their at-risk, mainstreamed students in fifth grade. Sessions focused on the use of computers, manipulatives, make and take home instructional games, study…

Augmented communication was used to reduce aberrant behaviors in a 19-year-old student with severe mental retardation and behavior disorder. Using an individualized constructed communication board with symbols and pictures, the behaviors of inappropriate greetings, grabbing objects without requesting, and lengthy latency in taking medication were…

This paper reviews evidence of the success of behavior intervention approaches which teach students with challenging behaviors alternative functional communication behaviors. Research supporting the view that challenging behavior is a form of nonverbal communication is reviewed, noting the importance of identifying what such individuals are…

In 1987, Northern Arizona University's Center for Excellence in Education agreed to provide computer assisted reading instruction for juvenile delinquents experiencing academic difficulties. An interactive instructional program was used that incorporates the Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System (PALS) with the IBM InfoWindow system. PALS…

Arranged in two sections, this guide provides materials for adapting the "Learning About Social Behavior" program for learning disabled elementary school students. Section 1 contains the following specialized test instruments: the School Observation Scale, Cognition of Behavioral Relations, Cognition of Behavioral Systems, Cognition of…

To determine whether the creative-adventure playground model functions as an effective extension of the classroom, researchers at Northern Illinois University's Early Childhood Education Research Laboratory studied the effects of playground participation on the development of visual-motor integration in 32 preschool boys and girls aged 3 to 4.5.…

The Chapel Hill Training-Outreach Project, which provides direct services to handicapped kindergarten children and their families at replication classrooms, is outlined in terms of activities, methods, and outcomes. In addition, assessment measures and newsletter issues are presented. Information is presented on the following program activities:…

During the 1985-86 academic year, 13 schools throughout the State of New Mexico were served by the Youth Leadership Program (YLP). Of these, three Albuquerque schools (A. Montoya Elementary, Washington Middle School, and Albuquerque High School) were chosen for an in-depth evaluation. One hundred fifty-two students in grades 3-12 participated in…

The inservice training module, developed as part of the Child-Centered Inservice Training Project (Syracuse, New York) is designed for use with educators providing services for students with developmental disabilities and behavior problems. The module comprises six units which incorporate theory, demonstration, practice, and feedback and is…

Research assessed the effectiveness of the Utah Pupil/Teacher Self-Concept Program in changing specific teacher verbal behaviors related to self concept. Subjects were secondary school teachers in the Logan City and Cache County School Systems, Utah. An experimental pre-post control group design was employed with 12 teachers in the experimental…